CARRIER VEHICLE FOR COLLECTING OBJECTS FROM A SURFACE

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to toys for picking up playing objects from a supporting surface, such as a floor or the like. In particular, the disclosure relates to a carrier vehicle for collecting objects from a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002]Toy vehicles, particularly in the form of trucks having receptacle beds, have provided considerable enjoyment and play time for pre-school children throughout the years. The child uses the trucks for loading blocks and other objects thereinto, as well as for use in sandboxes and the like.

[0003]The prior art includes various “pickup” toys that are capable of collecting and storing objects that are resting on a surface. In one example, the pickup toy is a pick-up vehicle which has the means for automatically picking up playing objects and depositing them into a receptable on the vehicle as the vehicle moves over a supporting surface. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,659, Marvin Glass and Associates, Nov. 10, 1975). In another example, the pickup toy is a wheeled push toy, which may simulate a lawn mower, and which has an impeller that is rotated into engagement with objects to be picked up and to flip them up a ramp into a collection container (U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,922, Mattel Inc., May 16, 1975). In another example, the pickup toy is a toy device that picks up objects from a plane surface, where the device has a set of wheels drives rotary blades adapted to move the objects up a guide plate toward a magazine. The blades are relatively stiff and comprise an integral hinge spaced from the axis of rotation of the blade wheel (U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,191, Interlego AG, Dec. 3, 1991).

[0004]It is common to the above-mentioned examples of prior art that all comprise blade wheels with stiff blades, entailing that these devices are only suitable for picking up round objects, since the blade wheel if hitting a box-shaped block will often drive up on the block instead of moving it into the magazine. Thus, these devices are not suitable for picking up irregularly shaped toy vehicles, or for picking up building elements of a toy building set when these elements may be box-shaped. Further, the devices have the drawback that their dynamic range, i.e., the difference between the largest and the smallest object which may be picked up with the device, is rather limited.

[0005]It is therefore an object of the disclosure to provide a carrier vehicle for collecting objects from a surface.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006]According to an aspect, there is provided a carrier vehicle for collecting at least one object on a surface, the carrier vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having: at least one opening formed thereon, the at least one opening being sized to receive the at least one object therethrough; and a storage region for holding the at least one object; and a collector assembly that is structured for guiding the at least one object into the storage region of the vehicle body, the collector assembly including: an input member that is rotatably connected to the vehicle body for rotating about a first axis in at least a first rotational direction; and a plurality of object guide members that are connected to the input member for rotating therewith, each of the plurality of object guide members including at least one lateral side, the plurality of object guide members being resilient and laterally flexible such that as the plurality of object guide members are driven to rotate in the first rotational direction and the at least one object is received through the at least one opening, at least some of the plurality of object guide members laterally deform around the at least one object and capture the at least one object for guiding the at least one object towards the storage region.

[0007]Optionally, the input member is structured as a shaft that is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body, and the plurality of object guide members are mounted on the shaft. Optionally, the plurality of object guide members are a plurality of guide disks, and the plurality of guide disks are mounted on the shaft such that each guide disk extends radially outwards from the shaft. Optionally, each object guide member of the plurality of object guide members includes a connection hub positioned centrally thereon, the connection hub including a mounting aperture that is sized to receive the shaft therethrough. Optionally, the connection hub is structured for releasably connecting the object guide member to at least one adjacent object guide member of the plurality of object guide members such that the plurality of object guide members rotate together about the first axis. Optionally, a first side of the connection hub includes a key, and a second side of the connection hub includes a keyway for receiving the key of an adjacent object guide member of the plurality of object guide members.

[0008]Optionally, the at least one opening is formed on a front end of the vehicle body.

[0009]Optionally, the carrier vehicle further comprises at least one motor, and the at least one motor is operably connected to the input member for driving the rotation of the shaft in at least the first rotational direction. Optionally, the input member is structured as a shaft; and wherein motor element is connected to the shaft via a driving geartrain. Optionally, the motor element is a non-electric motor. Optionally, the motor element is an electric motor.

[0010]According to another aspect, there is provided a toy vehicle kit, comprising: at least one toy object; and a carrier vehicle for collecting the at least one toy object on a surface, the carrier vehicle including: a vehicle body with: at least one opening formed thereon, the at least one opening being sized to receive the at least one object therethrough; and a storage region for holding the at least one object; and a collector assembly that is structured for guiding the at least one object into the storage region of the vehicle body, the collector assembly including: an input member that is rotatably connected to the vehicle body for rotating about a first axis in at least a first rotational direction; and a plurality of object guide members that are connected to the input member for rotating therewith, each of the plurality of object guide members including at least one lateral side, the plurality of object guide members being laterally flexible such that as the plurality of object guide members are driven to rotate in the first rotational direction and the at least one object is received through the at least one opening, at least some of the plurality of object guide members laterally deform around the at least one object and capture the at least one object between mutually facing lateral sides of the plurality of object guide members for guiding the at least one object towards the storage region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the carrier vehicle of the present disclosure;

[0013]FIG. 1B shows a front view of the embodiment of the carrier vehicle of FIG. 1A, where the carrier vehicle is resting on a surface;

[0014]FIG. 1C shows a bottom, perspective view of the embodiment of the carrier vehicle in FIG. 1A;

[0015]FIG. 2A shows a cut-out, perspective view of the embodiment of the carrier vehicle of FIG. 1B, where the cut out is taken along the line A-A;

[0016]FIG. 2B shows a flipped cut-out perspective view of the embodiment of the carrier vehicle provided in FIG. 2A, where the cut out is also taken along the line A-A;

[0017]FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an object being guided between a pair of object guiding members from the embodiment of the carrier vehicle in FIG. 1A:

[0018]FIG. 4A shows a side, section view of the embodiment of the carrier vehicle in FIG. 1A;

[0019]FIG. 4B shows a side, section view of the collector assembly from the embodiment of the carrier vehicle in FIG. 1A; and

[0020]FIG. 5 shows a front, section view of the embodiment of the carrier vehicle in FIG. 4A, where the section view is taken along the line where the section is taken along the line B-B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021]For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

[0022]Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and/or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term “a” or “an” will be understood to denote “at least one” in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean “one.”

[0023]As used herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising,” and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps, or components.

[0024]As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions.

[0025]Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0026]The embodiments described herein are exemplary (e.g., in terms of materials, shapes, dimensions, and constructional details) and do not limit by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the following examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.

[0027]Referring to FIGS. 1A to 5, there is provided a carrier vehicle 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the carrier vehicle 10 is for collecting at least one object 80 on a surface 11. The carrier vehicle 10 comprises a vehicle body 12, the vehicle body 12 having a storage region 18 for holding the at least one object 80 and at least one opening 20 formed on the vehicle body 12. The at least one opening 20 is sized to receive the at least one object 80 therethrough. The carrier vehicle 10 also includes a collector assembly 40 that is structured for guiding the at least one object 80 into the storage region 18 of the vehicle body 12. In this embodiment, the collector assembly 40 includes an input member 42 that is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 12 for rotating about a first axis (A1) in at least a first rotational direction (FRD).

[0028]The collector assembly 40 also includes a plurality of object guide members 44 that are connected to the input member 42 for rotating therewith. Each of the plurality of object guide members 44 includes at least one lateral side 43. The plurality of object guide members 44 are structured as resilient and laterally flexible such that as the plurality of object guide members 44 are driven to rotate in the first rotational direction and the at least one object 80 is received through the at least one opening 20, at least some of the plurality of object guide members 44 laterally deform around the at least one object 80 and capture the at least one object 80 for guiding the at least one object 80 towards the storage region 18.

[0029]Said another way, the at least one object 80 is captured between mutually facing lateral sides 43 of the plurality of object guide members 44 for guiding the at least one object 80 towards the storage region 18 of the carrier vehicle 10.

[0030]In an embodiment, the vehicle body 12 of the carrier vehicle 10 is formed to be substantially rigid. The vehicle body 12 defines an interior cavity 22 (shown in FIGS. 1C, 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B) that is connected to the at least one opening 20 of the vehicle body 12. The interior cavity 22 at least partially contains the collector assembly 40 of the carrier vehicle 10. As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B, the interior cavity 22 of the vehicle body 12 is sufficiently large so as to permit the input member 42 and plurality of object guide members 44 to rotate in the first rotational direction therewithin.

[0031]In an additional embodiment, the at least one opening 20 that is formed on the vehicle body 12 is positioned towards a front end of the vehicle body 12. In this way, the carrier vehicle 10 may collect the at least one object 80 from the surface 11 when as the carrier vehicle 10 is moving in a forward direction.

[0032]In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 1A to 2B and 4A to 5, the vehicle body 12 is in the form of a pick-up truck having a simulated passenger portion 12a. The vehicle body 12 is structured such that the at least one opening 20 is formed on a front end of the vehicle body 12, below the simulated passenger portion 12a. The at least one opening 20 is a single opening 20a and the single opening 20a is positioned towards a bottommost surface 11 of the vehicle body 12 such that the single opening 20a is disposed between the first set of wheels 30 of the carrier vehicle 10. The vehicle body 12 also includes an open-top receptacle 18a that is disposed towards the rear of the vehicle body 12. The open-top receptacle 18a defines the storage region 18 of the carrier vehicle 10 and is formed from a pair of sidewalls 18b, a bottom wall 18c and a rear wall 18d.

[0033]In an embodiment, the carrier vehicle 10 is structured to have an animal-like resemblance. To achieve this animal-like resemblance, the carrier vehicle 10 includes at least one decorative accessory 16 that is connected to part of vehicle body 12 and that is structured so as to resemble a recognizable aspect of the animal that the carrier vehicle 10 is supposed to bear resemblance to. The at least one decorative element can be removably connected to the vehicle body 12 or can be integrally connected to the vehicle body 12.

[0034]In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 1A to 2B and 4A to 5, the at least one decorative accessory 16 includes a plurality of tusk elements 16a.

[0035]In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1A to 2X, the carrier vehicle 10 is a wheeled carrier vehicle 10 that comprises at least a first set of wheels 30. The first set of wheels 30 are rotatably connected to the vehicle body 12 for supporting the carrier vehicle 10 on the surface 11.

[0036]In an additional embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B and 4A to 5, the carrier vehicle 10 also includes a second set of wheels 32 that are also rotatably connected to the vehicle body 12.

[0037]In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 1A to 2B and 4A to 5, the first set of wheels 30 are a pair of front wheels 30a which are rotatably mounted beneath the simulated passenger portion 12a of the vehicle body 12, and the second set of wheels 32 are a pair of rear wheels 32a which are rotatably mounted below the storage region 18. The pair of front wheels 30a are mounted on a pair of front axles 31 that are journalled on the vehicle body 12, in apertures formed in the vehicle body 12. The front wheels 30a and axle are secured for conjoint rotation. Similarly, the rear wheels 32a are mounted on a rear axle which is journalled in apertures formed in the vehicle body 12.

[0038]In an embodiment, at least one of the first set of wheels 30 and second set of wheels 32 are composed of PVC blades.

[0039]While two sets of wheels (e.g., the first and second sets of wheels 30, 32) are shown in the carrier vehicle 10 provided in FIGS. 1A to 5, the carrier vehicle 10 may have more or less wheels, which may or may not be in sets of two wheels. In addition, the sets of wheels may have more than two wheels, such as, for example, three, four, etc.

[0040]While the exemplary embodiment provided in FIGS. 1A to 2B and 4A to 5 shows the carrier vehicle 10 as a wheeled vehicle having wheels for rolling along the surface 11, the carrier vehicle 10 can alternatively be configured as a vehicle that is slid along the surface 11, or as a stationary vehicle. In the embodiments where the carrier vehicle 10 is a stationary vehicle, the at least one object 80 is structured to travel into the at least one opening 20 on the vehicle body 12 such that the collector assembly 40 can guide the at least one object 80 into the storage region 18.

[0041]Referring now to FIGS. 3A to 3B, a cut-away view of an example collector assembly 40 of the carrier vehicle 10 is shown. The collector assembly 40 is disposed within the interior cavity 22 of the vehicle body 12. The at least one opening 20 is the single opening 20a that is positioned towards a bottom surface 11 of the vehicle body 12. The single opening 20a provides a space beneath the front of vehicle body 12 through which the at least one object 80 may pass. The at least one object 80 can then be guided by the plurality of object guide members 44 of the collector assembly 40 (as the input member 42 and plurality of object guide members 44 rotate in the first rotational direction).

[0042]In an additional embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 5, the interior cavity 22 includes an opening portion 22a that defines the at least one opening 20, and a conduit portion 22b that is provided in the vehicle body 12 and which extends between the opening portion 22a and the storage region 18 (i.e., the open-top receptacle 18a seen in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2B, 4A and 4B). The conduit portion 22b provides for communication between the at least one opening 20, the collector assembly 40 and the interior of the storage region 18 such that the at least one object 80 can be guided into the storage region 18 from the exterior of the carrier vehicle 10, by the collector assembly 40. In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 5, the conduit portion 22b defines the region of the interior cavity 22 in which the collector assembly 40 is housed.

[0043]In an additional embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 5, the vehicle body 12 also includes a deflector ramp 24 that extends along a bottom region of the interior cavity 22 of the vehicle body 12. The deflector ramp 24 has an arcuate shape and extends within the conduit portion 22b, from the bottom region of the interior cavity 22 up to an entrance of the storage region 18. The deflector ramp 24 facilitates the guiding of the at least one object 80 into the storage region 18 by the collector assembly 40. As the mutually facing lateral sides 43 of the object guide members 44 engage the at least one object 80, the at least one object 80 will be guided to move along the conduit portion 22b, up the ramp 24 deflector and into the storage region 18.

[0044]In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1A to 5, the input member 42 of the carrier vehicle 10 is structured as a shaft 42a. The shaft 42a is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body 12 such that it can rotate relative to the vehicle body 12 in at least the first direction. The shaft 42a supports the plurality of object guide members 44, and the plurality of object guide members 44 are mounted on the shaft 42a. In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle body 12 includes a pair of mounting apertures with bearings 41 mounted therein. The shaft 42a is structured such that each end of the shaft 42a can be rotatably receiving in one of the bearings 41 within the pair of mounting apertures. In this way, the shaft 42a is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body 12.

[0045]In an embodiment, the carrier vehicle 10 further comprises a drive element. The drive element is operatively connected to the input member 42 for driving the input member 42 to rotate in at least the first rotational direction.

[0046]In some embodiments of the carrier vehicle 10 where the carrier vehicle 10 includes at least the first set of wheels 30, the drive element is structured such that the input member 42 and plurality of object guide members 44 rotate independently of the first set of wheels 30. In this embodiment, the drive element is operably connected to the input member 42 such that the input member 42 is driven to rotate in the first rotational direction, independent of a rotation of the first set of wheels 30.

[0047]In some other embodiments of the carrier vehicle 10 where the carrier vehicle 10 includes at least the first set of wheels 30, the drive element is structured such that the input member 42 (and therefore the plurality of object guide members 44) is rotatably coupled to the first set of wheels 30. Specifically, either some or all of the wheels in the first set of wheels 30 may be coupled to the input member 42 of the collector assembly 40, directly or through a connection like a geartrain 33 (shown in FIG. 5) such that the input member 42 and plurality of object guide members 44 will rotate in the first rotational direction due rotation of the first set of wheels 30.

[0048]In the specific embodiment provided in FIG. 5, the geartrain 33 includes at least a first gear that is rotatably coupled to the first set of wheels 30 and a second gear that is meshed with the first gear and that is mounted to the shaft 42a of the input member 42.

[0049]As is shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1A to 2B and 4A to 5, the movement of the collector assembly 40 (i.e., the rotation of the input member 42 and plurality of object guide members 44 in the first rotational direction) is driven by the motion of carrier vehicle 10. In these same embodiments, the drive element and the first set of wheels 30 are both included in a first wheel assembly.

[0050]In another additional embodiment, the first set of wheels 30 are rotatably coupled to the input member 42 of the collector assembly 40 via the drive element. In this embodiment, the drive element functions to provide the rotatable coupling. The drive element is structured such that the input member 42 is driven to rotate in at least the first rotational direction as the first set of wheels 30 rotate relative to the vehicle body 12. For example, the drive member can be structured as a geartrain that rotatably couples the input member 42 (e.g., the shaft 42a) to the axle of the first set of wheels 30

[0051]In an additional embodiment, the drive element is structured such that when carrier vehicle 10 is moved in a first direction, the input member 42 (and therefore the plurality of object guide members 44) rotate in the first rotational direction, and when carrier vehicle 10 is moved in a second direction, the input member 42 (and therefore the plurality of object guide members 44) rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. For example, when carrier vehicle 10 moves forward, the at least one object 80 in its path may be collected, and when carrier vehicle 10 moves backward, the at least one contained within the interior cavity 22 of the vehicle body 12 may be dispersed. Alternatively, when carrier vehicle 10 moves backward, the at least one object 80 in its path may be collected, and when carrier vehicle 10 moves forward, the at least one object 80 stored in the carrier vehicle 10 may be dispersed.

[0052]In an embodiment, the carrier vehicle 10 is structured as a push vehicle such that the first set of wheels 30 and the axle on which the first set of wheels 30 are mounted (as part of the first wheels assembly) can be driven to rotate relative to the vehicle body 12 by a user pushing the carrier vehicle 10 along the surface 11. When the carrier vehicle 10 is structured as the push vehicle, the user pushing the carrier vehicle 10 along the surface 11 drives the rotation of the input member 42 and the plurality of object guide members 44. For example, when a user pushes carrier vehicle 10 along the surface 11, motion may be transferred to the first set of wheels 30, which will in turn transfer motion to the input member 42 and rotate the plurality of object guide members 44 in the first rotational direction so that the at least one object 80 (which is positioned along the path of the carrier vehicle 10) may be collected and guided into the storage region 18 of the carrier vehicle 10.

[0053]While the above-described embodiment is specific to mechanically driven object guide members 44 that are powered by a user pushing the carrier vehicle 10, electric power may be used to drive the motion of the collector assembly 40 and/or the motion of the carrier vehicle 10 as a whole. The electric powered carrier vehicle 10 may utilize at least one electric motor and a battery coupled to carrier vehicle 10. The carrier vehicle 10 may be electrically powered in both the embodiments where the input member 42 is rotatably coupled to the first set of wheels 30, and the embodiments where the input member 42 rotates independently of the first set of wheels 30. The electric motor can be connected to directly drive the input member 42 of the collector assembly 40, or the electric motor can be connected to drive a rotation of the first set of wheels 30, which in turn produces the rotation of the input member 42.

[0054]In some embodiments, the at least one motor is a non-electric motor while in some other embodiments, the motor element is an electric motor.

[0055]In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier vehicle 10 includes at least one motor, and the at least one motor is operably connected to the input member 42 for driving the rotation of the shaft 42a in at least the first rotational direction.

[0056]In yet another embodiment, the electric motor is connected to drive a rotation of the first set of wheels 30 even though the first set of wheels 30 are not rotatably coupled to the input member 42. In these embodiment, the drive element is not connected to the electric motor. Instead, the rotation of the input member 42 is driven by either another electric motor or by mechanical means such as a crank handle.

[0057]In an additional embodiment, the carrier vehicle 10 includes at least one controller that is operatively connected to the motor element for controlling the operation thereof.

[0058]In an additional embodiment, the carrier vehicle 10 is configured as a remotely-controlled (RC) vehicle that includes a power source to drive one or more wheels of the carrier vehicle 10, or any other method of propulsion. In such an example, the at least one controller includes RC transmitter and receiver circuitry, and is operated by the user to control direction of travel, speed of travel, and/or other aspects of the carrier vehicle 10, or combinations thereof.

Intro

[0059]In an embodiment of the carrier vehicle 10 as disclosed herein, the collector assembly 40 of the carrier vehicle 10 is structured as a friction-based collection assembly that does not include any type of paddle means (as used conventionally in the art of toys for collecting other toys). These paddle means typically function to “lift” or “scoop” the toys that they are collecting rearwards and are not structured to laterally deform in any meaningful way.

[0060]In an embodiment such as shown in FIG. 3, the at least one object 80 includes at least one toy vehicle 82. The at least one toy vehicle 82 is structured to be smaller than the carrier vehicle 10 such that the at least one toy vehicle 82 can be received through the at least one opening 20 on the vehicle body 12.

[0061]In specific embodiment provided in FIG. 3, the at least one toy vehicle 82 is shaped as a pickup truck and includes a pair of front wheels 84 (shown in FIG. 3) and a pair of rear wheels (not shown). The truck includes a truck body 86 to which the front and rear wheels 84 are rotatably mounted. The at least one toy vehicle 82 is structured such that the front and rear wheels 84 and opposing lateral sides 86a of the truck body 86 collectively define opposing lateral sides of the toy vehicle 82.

[0062]In an additional embodiment such as shown in FIG. 3, the at least one toy vehicle 82 is sized such that a minimum width (D1) of the at least one toy vehicle 82 is greater than a distance (D2) between the mutually facing lateral sides 43 of the pair of object guide members 44.

[0063]By sizing the at least one toy vehicle 82 and arranging the plurality of object guide members 44 such that the spacing between adjacent object guide members 44 is less that the smallest width of the at least one toy vehicle 82, the at least one toy vehicle 82 will consistently laterally deform some of the plurality of object guide members 44, when the at least one toy vehicle 82 is received through the at least one opening 20 on the vehicle body 12.

[0064]In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of object guide members 44 are evenly spaced apart, and are arranged such that a distance from one lateral side 43 of one object guide member 44 to a mutually facing lateral side 43 of an adjacent object guide member 44 is at most about 30 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the distance from the one lateral side 43 of the object guide member 44 to a mutually facing lateral side 43 of the adjacent object guide member 44 is at most about 24 mm. In this same embodiment, a minimum width of the truck is at least 30.5 mm and is preferably at least 33 mm.

[0065]While above is specific to at least one object 80 being at least one toy vehicle 82, other sizes and shapes of the at least one object 80 could be utilized with the carrier vehicle 10 of the present disclosure. For example, block-shaped playing objects could be provided of a size and shape so as to pass under the front of the simulated passenger portion and through the at least one opening 20 to be collected by the collector assembly 40.

[0066]As presented above, the plurality of object guide members 44 are structured as resilient and laterally flexible such that at least some of the plurality of object guide members 44 can laterally deform around the at least one object 80 and capture the at least one object 80 for guiding the at least one object 80 towards the storage region 18 (while the plurality of object guide members 44 are driven to rotate in the first rotational direction). In guiding the at least one object 80, the at least one object 80 is captured between mutually facing lateral sides of the plurality of object guide members 44.

[0067]Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram is provided showing a pair of object guide members 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44 that have laterally deformed from an original, undeformed position (indicated by the dotted lines) to a more laterally deformed position. By moving from the original, undeformed position to the more laterally deformed position, the pair of object guide members 44 have captured the at least one object 80 between the mutually facing lateral sides 43 thereof. The “capturing” of the at least one object 80 is achieved by two aspects of the object guide members 44.

[0068]First, because each of the object guide members 44 is resilient but laterally flexible, each of the pair of object guide members 44 will be internally biased towards the laterally undeformed position (shown in the dotted lines in FIG. 3). When the pair of object guide members 44 are laterally deformed around the at least one object 80, the internal biasing force that is generated in each object guide member 44 will be applied inwards, on the at least one object 80 that is between the pair of object guide members 44. This biasing force will act to retain the at least one object 80 at least partially between the mutually facing lateral sides 43 of the pair object guide members 44.

[0069]Secondly, as the pair of object guide members 44 are laterally deformed around the at least one object 80, a friction force will be generated between the mutually facing lateral sides 43 of the pair of object guide members 44 and the sides of the at least one object 80. This friction force will also act to “grab” the at least one object 80 and thereby retain the at least one object 80 at least partially between the mutually facing lateral sides 43 of the pair object guide members 44.

[0070]Through the internal biasing force of the pair of object guide members 44 and the friction force applied by the object guide members 44 on the at least one object 80, the pair of object guide members 44 will “capture” the at least one object 80. The at least one object 80 that is captured between the pair of object guide members 44 will then be guided towards the storage region 18 of the carrier vehicle 10 due to the rotation of the plurality of object guide members 44 in the first rotational direction.

[0071]In an embodiment, the plurality of object guide members 44 are arranged such that at least the pair of object guide members 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44 laterally deform around opposing sides of the at least one object 80. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mutually facing sides 43 of the pair of object guide members 44 are in contact with opposing sides of the at least one object 80 (which is structured as a toy vehicle 82).

[0072]In an additional embodiment, the plurality of object guide members 44 are structured such that the mutually facing lateral sides 43 of the plurality of object guide members 44 engage opposing lateral sides of the at least one object 80 (i.e., the opposing lateral sides 86a of the truck body 86), as the at least one object 80 is received through the at least one opening 20, such that the at least one object 80 is guided towards the storage region 18.

[0073]In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1C, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 5, each object guide member 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44 includes a connection hub 45 that is positioned centrally thereon. In the embodiments where the input member 42 includes the shaft 42a, the connection hub 45 of each object guide member includes a mounting aperture 45a that is sized to receive the shaft 42a therethrough for mounting the object guide member 44 on the shaft 42a.

[0074]In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B, the mounting aperture 45a of the connection hub 45 on each of the plurality of object guide members 44 has a square cross-section. In this same embodiment, the shaft 42a has a “+” shaped cross section such that when the shaft 42a is received through the mounting apertures 45a of each of the plurality of object guide members 44, the shaft 42a does not rotate relative to the plurality of object guide members 44.

[0075]In the embodiments provided in FIGS. 1A to 5, the plurality of object guide members 44 are structured as a plurality of guide disks 44a.

[0076]In the specific embodiments provided in FIGS. 2A to 5, the plurality of guide disks 44a are mounted on the shaft 42a such that each guide disk 44a extends radially outwards from the shaft 42a.

[0077]In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 2A to 5, the at least one lateral side 43 of each of the plurality of object guide members 44 includes a first lateral side 43a and a second lateral side opposite 43b the first lateral side 43a. In this embodiment, the thickness of the object guide members 44 may be varied, and in one example, may be varied to vary the resiliency and lateral flexibility of the object guide members 44 and thereby adjust the performance of the object guide members 44.

[0078]In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1C, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 5, at least one object guide member 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44 includes a plurality of teeth 46. The plurality of teeth 46 are circumferentially positioned about an outer perimeter of the at least one object guide member 44. In this embodiment, the plurality of teeth 46 are shaped to engage at least partially the at least one object 80, as the plurality of object guide members 44 are driven to rotate in the first rotational direction, for further guiding the at least one object 80 towards the storage region 18.

[0079]Various structures of the plurality of teeth 46 may be provided on the at least one object guide member 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44.

[0080]In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B, each of the plurality of teeth 46 includes a leading edge 46a that extends towards the first rotational direction.

[0081]In an additional embodiment, the leading edge 46a of each of the plurality of teeth 46 has an arcuate form.

[0082]In another additional embodiment such as shown in FIG. 4B, the leading edge 46a of at least one tooth 46 of the plurality of teeth 46 has a positive rake angle (G1) relative to a radial line (R1) that extends from the center of the at least one object guide member 44 to a root 46c of the at least one tooth 46.

[0083]In yet another additional embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1C, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 5, the plurality of teeth 46 are spaced evenly about the outer perimeter of the at least one object guide member 44. By spacing the plurality of teeth 46 evenly around the perimeter of the guide member 44, the plurality of teeth 86 will more consistently “capture” and guide the at least one object 80 as the guide member 44 rotates about the first axis (A1) in the first rotational direction.

[0084]In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the plurality of teeth 46 of each object guide member 44 are angularly offset relative to the plurality of teeth 46 of at least one other object guide member 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44.

[0085]In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 2A and 2B, every other object guide member 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44 has a plurality of teeth 46 that advanced by substantially half of a tooth pitch relative to the plurality of teeth 46 on the adjacent object guide members 44.

[0086]In an embodiment such as shown in such as shown in FIGS. 1C, 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B, at least one of the plurality of object guide members 44 is structured so as to provide an improved flexing structure compared to an embodiment of the object guide members 44 where the object guide members 44 is a circular or cylindrical disk.

[0087]In one such embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A to 2B, 4A, and 4B, the at least one object guide member 44 includes a plurality of gullets 48 formed around the outer perimeter of the at least one object guide member 44. Each gullet 48 of the plurality of gullets 48 is disposed between two adjacent teeth 46 of the plurality of teeth 46.

[0088]In an additional embodiment, each gullet 48 of the plurality of gullets 48 has a circular cross-section and is positioned at a root 46c of one tooth 86 of the two adjacent teeth 46. By providing a relatively large gullet 48 on the perimeter of the object guide member 44, the object guide member 44 is able to more readily flex and wrap around the at least one object 80, when the at least one object 80 is captured between the plurality of object guide members 44. Forming the gullet 48 with a circular cross-section also helps to reduce the likelihood of the object guide member 44 tearing during this flexion and wrapping around the at least one object 80.

[0089]In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 2A, 2, 4A, and 4B, each gullet 48 of the plurality of gullets 48 is positioned at a trailing edge 46b of one of the two adjacent teeth 46.

[0090]In an embodiment, the connection hub 45 of each object guide member 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44 is structured for releasably connecting the object guide member 44 to at least one adjacent object guide member of the plurality of object guide members 44 such that the plurality of object guide members 44 rotate together about the first axis (A1).

[0091]In an additional embodiment, the connection hub 45 is structured such that a first side of the connection hub 45 includes a key, and a second side of the connection hub 45 (opposite the first side) includes a keyway for receiving the key of an adjacent object guide member 44 of the plurality of object guide members 44. In this way, the plurality of object guide members 44 can be coupled together on the input member 42 such that the plurality of object guide members 44 rotate together about the first axis (A1).

[0092]According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a toy vehicle 82 kit. This toy vehicle 82 kit comprises the at least one object 80, and the carrier vehicle 10 for collecting the at least one object 80 on the surface 11. The carrier vehicle 10 includes the vehicle body 12 with the at least one opening 20 formed thereon, where the at least one opening 20 is sized to receive the at least one object 80 therethrough. The vehicle body 12 also includes the storage region 18 for holding the at least one object 80, and the collector assembly 40 that is structured for guiding the at least one object 80 into the storage region 18 of the vehicle body 12.

[0093]The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the above-described embodiments are intended to be examples of the present disclosure and alterations and modifications may be affected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure that is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

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